EU asks for ‘concrete’ HR progress ahead of GSP+

• Recognises progress on several fronts including RTI, legislation on the Office of Missing Persons
• Detailed exchanges with PM and Mangala on constitution-making and repealing PTA    
• EU Working Group conclusions to be reported to EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission 

 The European Union has underscored the importance of the Sri Lankan Government achieving “prompt and concrete” progress on human rights ahead of the decision on GSP+ expected in May, the EU said in a statement yesterday. 

Both sides released a joint press statement following the meeting of the Working Group on Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights under the European Union-Sri Lanka Joint Commission, which kicked off on Monday. 

The EU delegation to the Working Group called on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and met with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, who confirmed their political commitment to move forward on reforms in sectors covered by the Working Group.

“The parties also discussed Sri Lanka’s application under the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), which is currently under consideration by the European Parliament and the European Council. The two institutions have until mid-May to discuss the European Commission’s assessment and adopt their position. Therefore, the EU drew attention to the importance of Sri Lanka making prompt and concrete progress in fulfilling international commitments on human rights and labour rights and environmental protection,” the statement said. 

Both sides reaffirmed their joint commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights domestically and globally and to collaborate on the effective implementation of international human rights instruments. 

The EU recognised the progress made by the Sri Lankan Government in various areas, including the ratification of the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the passing of the Right to Information Act, legislation on the Office on Missing Persons and symbolic steps taken to advance reconciliation. 

There was a detailed exchange of information on many important ongoing reforms, such as Constitution-making as well as replacing the Prevention of Terrorism Act and amending the Code of Criminal Procedure Act to bring them in line with international standards. 

Both sides recognised the need for further progress on reconciliation. They agreed that the full implementation of the UN Human Rights Council resolution of October 2015 remains a priority. The EU reiterated its readiness to continue supporting the Government in its reforms, including with financial assistance.

There was also discussion of the progress made and the challenges ahead in maintaining the freedoms of expression and of the media, strengthening civil society, advancing the rights of women and children, preventing discrimination on any grounds, addressing the rights of minorities, accelerating the return of land, labour rights and the implementation of treaty obligations and the rule of law. The EU stressed the importance of addressing areas of concern, especially torture, violence against women and the need to combat corruption.

The delegation of the European Union was led by Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific Department of the European External Action Service. The delegation of Sri Lanka was led by A.L.A. Azeez, Senior Director-General for the European Union of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka. The conclusions and recommendations of the Working Group will be reported to the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission to be held later this year. The Joint Commission will then assess the progress achieved since Tuesday’s meeting.